Bringing the Revolution to life: Historical drama comes to KM

When Bob Inman sat down to write the story of the Battle of Kings Mountain, he had done his research.

He knew it was a great patriot victory, one that many historians say turned the tide of the Revolutionary War, leading directly to a British surrender at Yorktown just one year later.

But what Inman wanted to tell was the story of the people.

His new play, “Liberty Mountain”—which will be performed at the Joy Performance Center in Kings Mountain this October—focuses on their story.

“What I was interested in was the story of the people who lived in the Carolinas around that time, the reason they had for wanting to be free from England, the way they lived, their culture and their Scots-Irish Presbyterian background,” he said.

Thousands of people had immigrated from Northern Ireland to the Carolinas, fleeing the British government there and the hard life they endured, said Inman.

“They had a bone to pick with the British government even when they lived there. They lived a hard life under landlords that were very hard to deal with. They had famine and drought and they were seeking a new life in the New World where they could make a living, raise their families and worship as they please,” he said.

The settlers came to the backcountry of North and South Carolina and quickly adapted to the frontier area.

“They had to be rugged, independent people. They endured hardships, they had to fight Indians. They persevered,” said Inman.

When the war began, the backcountry patriots just wanted the British to leave them alone.

“The British said, ‘You have to support the crown.’ They said, ‘No, that’s not the way we operate.’ And so they took up arms against the British and won,” said Inman.

Community meeting, auditions in coming weeks

Jim Champion, vice president of the Kings Mountain Little Theatre group, said the play will include more than 40 actors of all ages and genders and a portrayal of the battle.

“It’s a really in-depth story about that period of our history and what happened here locally,” said Champion.

In the 1950s, the theatre group did an outdoor drama based on the battle for a few years, but didn’t continue the idea. About 10 years ago, Champion and others in the group decided to revive it, but indoors at the Joy.

“We’re having the world premiere in October. We wanted it to continue as a summer stock production at the Joy beginning in 2015 and then running every summer,” he said.

The group is holding a community meeting July 21 at 7 p.m. at the Joy to let people know more about the play, and how they can help partner with the group. Auditions for the play are July 28 and 29.

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'Honor what happened here'

Champion said the goal is to memorialize the city’s history.

“It’s a part of our history. We were named for that battle. There are descendants of the people that fought in the battle all around North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia,” he said. “It’s just something that can put Kings Mountain on the map, make it a part of an ongoing tradition to honor what happened here.”

The battle that happened on the grassy ridge will be fought right on stage, Inman said, and the lives and culture of the people who fought it will be remembered.

“We’re going to show you who these people are and how they lived, a picture of what life was like in the Carolinas during that time, especially the historical background, what led them to independence from England, what it took for those people to fight that battle and win it against great odds," he said. “If the patriots hadn’t fought and won the battle of Kings Mountain, we might all be speaking British.”

Want to audition?

What: Auditions for the premiere of “Liberty Mountain”, a new play/historical drama about the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Calls for: 40-plus actors, technicians, dancers, singers, musicians and stage combat lovers. Roles are available for men, women and children of all ages. No previous stage experience is required.

What: Informational meeting about “Liberty Mountain”, a Kings Mountain Little Theatre production about the Battle of Kings Mountain.

When: 7 p.m., Monday

Where: Joy Performance Center, 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain

Details: Playwright Robert Inman and director Caleb Sigmon will be on hand to answer questions about the production. The Battle Drama Committee will update attendees about the plans for the "World Premiere" in October and the first summer productions slated for opening on June 26, 2015.